Have faith in Bishop's star

Twenty five horses were entered for the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle at the fiveday stage, but the sponsors report that punters have only wanted to know one of them.

The Pipe-trained Liberman is the beast in question, and the 9-2 available on Tuesday disappeared quicker than Arsenal's title hopes.

As a former Festival Bumper winner who beat last week's Cleeve Hurdle hero Patriarch Express at Market Rasen last time out, it hardly takes Einstein to work out why Liberman has been punted on.

However, it's worth remembering that Liberman has never been the most fluent of jumpers. He's also taken an 18lb hike in the weights since his latest win and, at the likely odds, it's well worth considering Attorney General as a value alternative.

This gelding has improved of late and ran the race of his life in a handicap at Cheltenham last time when pipped by Liberman's stablemate Korelo.

The form of that race was franked when Korelo finished a close second in Grade 1 company back at Cheltenham last weekend. The third horse Chamoss Royale boosted it further by winning a good handicap at Kempton on Monday and, with the improving Wayne Hutchinson aboard, Attorney General looks sure to run another bold race.

One of the big days in the Irish calendar will have Leopardstown rocking on Sunday, and most of the crowd will be sorely vexed if Beef Or Salmon fails to limber up for Cheltenham by landing the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

And what can beat him? It's hard to recommend Pizarro, who was left trailing as Beef Or Salmon stormed clear of Best Mate in the Lexus Chase here over Christmas, while Rule Supreme was running very well when he fell at the last that day but remains a desperately erratic jumper.

Noel Chance says he plans to do his celebrating on Saturday night in Dublin just in case Murphy's Cardinal fails to prove up to the job on Sunday.

In that case, join me for a Guinness in Doheny & Nesbitt's, Noel.

Murphy's Cardinal is a smart young chaser, but Beef Or Salmon is a cut above anything he faces here and his finishing speed will surely settle matters from two out.

At The Races will be covering the entire Leopardstown programme, and two others to note on a cracking card are Newmill and Arch Rebel.

Newmill pulled much too hard here over Christmas but made amends with a very smooth performance in Grade 2 company on his return last month.

He should prove too strong for Mark The Man in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase, while Arch Rebel will be equally hard to beat in the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle judged by the way he disposed of some useful winners on his hurdling debut here.